Casanova's Homecoming by Arthur Schnitzler
page 106 of 133 (79%)
page 106 of 133 (79%)
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disappointment or anger, Casanova turned to depart, after signifying,
with one of those simple gestures of which he was a master, his desire that no one, not even Olivo, should follow him. He strode rapidly through the chestnut avenue, handed a gold piece to the maid who had brought his valise to the carriage, took his seat and drove away. The sky was overcast. In the village, lamps were still burning in some of the cottages; but by the time the carriage regained the open road, the only light piercing the darkness was supplied by the yellow rays of the lantern dangling from the shaft. Casanova opened the valise, took out Lorenzi's cloak, flung it over his shoulders, and under this cover rapidly undressed. He packed the discarded clothing, together with shoes and stockings, in the valise, and wrapped himself in the cloak. Then he called to the coachman: "Stop, we must drive back!" The coachman turned heavily hi his seat. "I have left some of my papers in the house. Don't you understand? We must drive back." When the coachman, a surly, thin greybeard, still hesitated, Casanova said: "Of course I will pay you extra for your trouble. Here you are!" He pressed a gold piece into the man's hand. The coachman nodded, muttered something, gave his horse a needless cut with the whip, and turned the carriage round. When they drove back |
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